Longhorns learn more about the game they love
Dec. 14, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Men's and Women's Tennis teams are taking advantage of an opportunity to serve youth in the local community. Recently, the Longhorns participated in a teaching workshop at Penick-Allison Tennis Center. The skill session was structured by the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), which is an international organization that specializes in certifications for professional tennis teachers and coaches. The two-day workshop focused on teaching student-athletes the skills and information necessary to be able to observe and instruct newcomers in the game of tennis. Texas Women's Tennis head coach Patty Fendick-McCain started a similar teaching program while at the University of Washington, and is now working with Men's head coach Michael Center to create a program that will allow the student-athletes' talents to affect change in the community. "When I started my coaching career in college, I wanted to somehow coordinate our student athletes working in community service so they could give back to the community," says Fendick-McCain. The new program at UT, which will begin in the spring, will be coordinated in conjunction with local schools and will allow The University to bring in young children to visit the UT campus while also experiencing the excitement of Men's and Women's Tennis matches in person. After those matches, student-athletes from both teams will join the local youngsters and begin teaching them the art of playing tennis. "The unique thing about this program," Fendick-McCain says, "is that our athletes will be certified by PTR and will be able to teach similar programs anywhere they want to."
Center says that this program will not only help local children to learn the game of tennis, but will also help the student-athletes learn some things about their own style of play as well. "I think it helps the athletes identify some things about their own skills," Center says. "It's a great opportunity for our athletes and a benefit to our community as well. It's a win-win situation for everybody." |
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